Lake County Crash Kills Fresno Area Man
On Sunday, October 27, 2019, a Lake County Crash left a Fresno area man with deadly injuries. California Highway Patrol (CHP) has indicated that the crash involved one vehicle and happened at a rural highway location east of the small community of Clearlake Oaks. The identity of the decedent is still being withheld by Lake County authorities while they are in the process of notifying family members. In addition to the decedent, one other person was hospitalized for treatment of injuries related to the accident.
Crash Information
The accident happened on Highway 20 at around 11:20 p.m. A 20-year-old Bakersfield man was driving a 2006 Toyota Scion. The Toyota was traveling westbound at a speed of around 55 miles per hour and had just passed New Long Valley Road when it entered a right-hand curve. The driver reportedly told police that he was entering the curve at too high of a speed and quickly applied his brakes, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.
After the driver lost control, the Toyota collided with an ascending embankment off of the northern edge of the highway, causing the vehicle to roll over. The Toyota finally came to a stop on its roof in the highway’s eastbound lanes facing southwest.
Response
The driver of the vehicle contacted CHP, who immediately sent out medics to the crash scene. Officials responding to the accident reported that they discovered the vehicle passenger had suffered critical trauma and was unresponsive. Tragically, the man lost his life on-site. The driver was driven via ambulance to the Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake to receive treatment for what medical officials indicated were minor injuries.
Rollover Accidents
When a vehicle overturns, there is a much higher chance of occupants suffering a fatal injury. The NHTSA has reported that, while rollovers happen in around two percent of accidents, more than ten percent of fatal accidents involve an overturned vehicle. One of the main reasons that these accidents are likely to cause serious injuries is because vehicles often lack the proper construction and safety features to keep drivers and passengers safe.
A rollover can put a large amount of pressure on a vehicle’s roof, and if the roof or its supporting parts are poorly designed or made of weak materials, occupants can suffer roof crush injuries. Vehicle manufacturers are expected to ensure the safety of their products, and in many cases involving rollovers, they can be considered negligent and held responsible for damages.
What Can my Family Recover?
After a fatal crash, families often find themselves in a very difficult situation. Not only is a fatal accident a very emotionally traumatic event, but losing someone you love often comes with a series of financial issues as well. To learn about how your family can claim repayments for these losses, watch this helpful YouTube video:
More Articles by Ed Smith, Clearlake Wrongful Death Lawyer
- DUI in Clearlake Causes Injury
- What is a Clearlake Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Clearlake Crash Involving Mountain Lion Results in Serious Trauma
Clearlake Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Clearlake wrongful death lawyer. If a person you know passed away during an accident, please give me a call so that we can speak about your options for recovery. During our call, I’ll be able to provide you with free, friendly advice. Get in touch with me by calling either (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900.
During more than 37 years of advocacy, I’ve been able to help many families with obtaining settlements and verdicts after they’ve lost loved ones in vehicle accidents. To find out more about me and my practice, I encourage you to visit my profiles on the following websites to find reviews written by the clients I’ve helped:
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